How to ensure door staff have SIA licences

If your business uses door supervisors or security guards, you have a legal duty to ensure every single one holds a valid licence from the Security Industry Authority (SIA). Deploying an unlicensed security operative is a criminal offence for both you and the individual, so you must check their status using the official online register before they start their first shift.

What is an SIA Licence?

The SIA is the UK-wide regulator for the private security industry. A valid SIA door supervisor licence proves that the holder has passed an identity and criminal record check, and has completed the required training on topics like conflict management, physical intervention, and public safety. It’s your assurance that they meet the minimum legal and professional standard required to work in the role.

How to Check a Licence is Valid

Checking a licence is a simple but vital process. You should complete these steps for every door supervisor you employ, whether you hire them directly or they come from a security agency.

1. Ask for the physical licence: The staff member must be able to produce their credit-card-sized SIA licence.
2. Go to the SIA website: Navigate to the GOV.UK website and find the 'Register of Licence Holders' page for the Security Industry Authority.
3. Enter the licence number: Type the 16-digit licence number from the front of the card into the official search tool.
4. Verify the details: The register will show you the licence holder's name, licence status (e.g., Active), expiry date, and the activities they are licensed for. Crucially, it will also display a photo of the holder. You must check that this photo is a true likeness of the person in front of you.

Tips for Staying Compliant

• Check before they work: Make the licence check a non-negotiable part of your recruitment process before a new staff member works their first shift.
• Keep a record: Keep a secure digital or physical record of the licence details and expiry dates for all your security staff. A simple spreadsheet is often sufficient.
• Set reminders for expiry: Licences are typically valid for three years. Set a calendar reminder a few months before a licence is due to expire so your staff member has time to complete the required top-up training and renew it.

If you use a security contractor to supply staff, they are responsible for ensuring their staff are licensed. However, it is still good practice to ask the contractor for proof that they are an SIA Approved Contractor and that they perform these checks rigorously.